Note: Javascript is disabled or is not supported by your browser. For this reason, some items on this page will be unavailable. For more information about this message, please visit this page: About CDC.gov.

Digital camera and computer technologies can be used to monitor mine slopes and provide real-time warning of rock falls. NIOSH researchers assembled a surveillance system using low-cost video cameras and computer software from the security industry to test its effectiveness. The system is designed to signal an alarm when motion is detected and to record images of the scene. Masking can restrict motion detection to specific areas within the camera view; sensitivity is adjustable. The timestamped images provide a record that can help reconstruct and quantify an event. Video motion detection can augment standard monitoring methods to increase safety in surface mines.